Wally Grenz

May 20, 1937 - October 25, 2011

Walter “Wally” Grenz was born on May 20, 1937 in Hazelton, ND, the son of Gotlieb and Lydia (Schock) Grenz. He attended Tower City (ND) Public School and then worked on the family farm. On January 9, 1961, he joined the US Army. He spent the majority of his enlistment in Fort Riley, KS. On January 8, 1963, he was honorably discharged. While he was in the service, he was a heavy equipment operator. Following his discharge, he worked for various contractors doing road construction. He married Nila Neppl at Olivet Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND on March 17, 1972. They made their home in Valley City. He retired in 1994. Wally loved to spend time with his family and friends. He especially liked meeting new people. He was a “sports nut”, his favorites being football, NASCAR, and baseball. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and a lifetime member of the Am Vets Willis Webber Post 3, American Legion Post 60 and Eagles Aerie 2192, all in Valley City. Wally died at the Sheyenne Care Center in Valley City on October 25, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Nila; daughter, Roxanne Grenz of Thief River Falls, MN; step-children, Valerie (John) Kalal of Wichita, KS and Todd (Michelle) Grieger of Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Amanda (Drew) Rucker, John (Shannon) Kalal, Ryan Grieger, and Nichol Tueewen; great grandchildren, Destiny Tueewen and Bella Kalal; brothers, Fred (Shirley) Grenz of Lake Havasu City, AZ and Dick (Judy) Grenz of Valley City; and sisters, Esther Kringler of Klamath Falls, OR, Helen Christiansen of Sussex, WI, Irene (Kenneth) James of Dixon, IL, Edna Sheldon of Valley City, Annitha Plecity of Valley City, and Ann (Jack) Myers of Cedar Rapids, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bill, Jake, and Ed; and sisters, Erna Grenz, Tillie Hoff, Mathilda Roberts, and Ruth Fisher.